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Dimmable 2x4 drop ceiling light

stinkity stoink

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Apr 8, 2007
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New Jersey
I’m trying to find a dimmable 2 x 4 drop ceiling fixture. The problem is I want it dimmable using line voltage. The more I look all I find is ones that are low-voltage that require extra wiring. Its cost prohibitive breaking walls and running extra wires ..Does a fixture like this exist. You can use retrofit LED bulbs in fluorescent fixtures and I believe those are dimmable, but I can’t find any that are dimmable with just line voltage that I can purchase new.
thanks
 
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cybrdyke

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It's the line voltage that requires extra wiring.
Use the low-voltage fixtures and wire them with the newer romex that has the dimming wires built in. Connect them to a Lutron Vive Powpak up in the ceiling and then use their Pico wireless switches at each door. You can use a bunch of switches with no wiring at all. Super simple.
CD
 

LukeOresk

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Mar 20, 2016
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Not to be silly but if they are in a drop ceiling couldn’t you pull a low voltage wire for dimming? That also may or may not be to code were you are I suppose.

We have ordered both (10v and line dimming) at work, I would just call an electrical supplier near you and ask what they have

I tried to find an example of what we have ordered but I’m coming up dry so I might be mixed up on if they do exist or not
 
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stinkity stoink

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New Jersey
Not to be silly but if they are in a drop ceiling couldn’t you pull a low voltage wire for dimming? That also may or may not be to code were you are I suppose.

We have ordered both (10v and line dimming) at work, I would just call an electrical supplier near you and ask what they have

I tried to find an example of what we have ordered but I’m coming up dry so I might be mixed up on if they do exist or not
I might be able to pull the other wire , but I’m not 100% sure I can. I would rather buy a fixture even if it’s a few $$ more if it’s possible.
calling electric supply might be the next step, but I know some of them get very picky where I’m from if you’re not an electrician or don’t speak the language 100%.
Thanks
 

LukeOresk

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Mar 20, 2016
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183
I hear ya about additional wiring.

I don’t think you’ll have that problem at the supplier though, when I started I wouldn’t know trade names for some parts since I’m an industrial electrician. Suppliers were always happy to work with me and take my money
 

cybrdyke

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The supply house isn't gonna have a line voltage dimming 2x4 because none of their customers use them. The only place you're gonna find one is from some shady company on Amazon or an online seller.
You really should ask yourself why, if line voltage is so much easier, they dont make line voltage fixtures. Nearly 90% of all types of fixtures are low voltage because it's better and easier. You do NOT have to pull extra wires. It is NOT easier to wire line voltage fixtures.

Dimmable LED tubes are also a bad idea. Although they do exist, they have so many technical issues that (again) no one buys them so they are very hard to find.
Good luck,
CD
 
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